Customer Reviews

Crimson Idol

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

every artist gets one opportunity to define the epoch of their art. They then spend the remainder of their career trying to recapture it or trying to distance themselves from it because it has so clearly defined them. Almost typecast them (like Don Adams as Maxwell Smart). And this is the defining moment of the beast that is WASP. Really it should have been marketed as Blackie Lawless, not wasp since there was no WASP at the time. But that's another story.

Anyway...follow the life of Jonathan from nothing (the orphan son you never needed and the slave you gave just the air I breathe through the hedonism of his teens (the arena of pleasure where I belong) to the moment he meets the gypsy and she tell him that he will become the one (be careful what you wish for it might come true, the further he flies then the further he falls) and then Chainsaw Charlie and the One: the height of his power and fame. But reality bites...and the mornful longing of arguably the most soulful, honest track that any metal band ever recorded: Hold on to my heart...and the pain sees him die...in the great misconceptions of me

Ah it operatic metal but carried not by huge sound but rather content: the lyrics and the voice and honesty. This is an amazing album. The is the one that defines the art (or Fart if you believe some critics) of WASP. The epoch of the career. WASP will never make another album like this or as good as this because like I said, every artist gets that one moment that defines their career...

To some the music might sound a little dated...if you're a fad follower...but quality is quality and this is quality. Try it for yourself!

I know that alot of metal fans aren't into WASP... fine. Let me say, as a serious metal fan, you can not do wrong with this record. 2 cd's of mastery for under 15 bucks... you should feel cheated if you don't own it. Crimson is the best concept metal album ever,obvious exception being Operation Mindcrime. Its a heavy hitter, with good share of slower and acoustic themes. The second disc continues with the same, with the live stuff thrown in as an added treat. It's oe of the best you'll hear. One of the "musts" for every metal collection.

I commented on this album prior... the 2 disc re-release is wonderful for the inclusion of "Phantoms in the Mirror", and the live tracks including the powerful "The Idol", "Hold On To My Heart", and "I Am One". Hey, this rocks... I love it. Among my favorite albums EVER.

First, let me start by saying this is my Third favorite 'themed' album, behind Savatage's "Streets; a rock opera" and Queensryche's "Operation: Mindcrime".
Second, let me say that I've read some of the other reviews here, and I do not believe this album is fictional. Embellished, yes, but not truly fictional. I believe that this truly is Blackie Lawless' autobiographical masterpiece!

I heard this album back when it was first released and a roomate of mine bought it. Now, years later, I have been remembering the songs, and recently added it to my collection. it is *startling* how good this album is, and it's barely left my cd player in 2 weeks. Add great prodution with the fact I believe a Metal legend is baring his soul and history to his fans, and this is a *powerful* album that will touch you.

It's different than the other WASP albums, yet in some ways very similar. If you are a fan of old Metal, you owe it to yourself to buy this album!

When people think of conceptual albums, they tend to be slightly turned off by the idea. Only certain bands have been able to pull them off in the past (Pink Floyd, The Beatles, etc) but in the confines of heavy metal, it is a risk few are willing to take.

Enter Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. With an album originally sought to be a solo effort by Lawless, "The Crimson Idol" has quickly become perhaps the finest W.A.S.P. recording to ever grace the metal world! The album itself tells the story of a man named Jonathan, who's main goal in life is to become a rock star and will stop at nothing to accomplish this goal. In the end, the fame and fortune prove to be too much, but the album leaves the future of Jonathon up to what the listener wants to believe. It is an album that provides not only a great narrative, but has the musical prowess to back it up!

1. The Titanic Oveture - A heavy instrumental to begin the album that really fuses everything together that the listener can expect throughout the course of the album. Well done track that kind of makes you wish it was developed into its own song. 4/5

2. The Invisible Boy - The first official "song" on the album, and it is just pure rock 'n roll! Heavy and un-relenting as Blackie pours every emotion into it lyrically. A song that is hauntingly dark, yet inspires the listener to join Jonathon on his journey and hope he succeeds. 5/5

3. Arena of Pleasure - Continuing with the heavy theme, this song focuses on Jonathon and his wishes to be a successful rock star! This song, it feels, was more focused on telling the story and less on getting the music to correspond with it. Good song, but may take awhile to fully appreciate with the rest of the album. 4/5

4. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue) - Perhaps the best track on the album lyrically and instrumentaly. This is a song that is just pure raw emotion all the way through. Telling the story of how corrupt and political the music business really is, "Charlie" is the producer out to screw his clients at any cost to get more money. A very solid track that can even shine without the rest of the album to support it. 5/5

5. The Gypsy Meets The Boy - Listeners may recognize the riff from an earlier work if they own "The Headless Children." It has been re-expanded and revamped to fit beautifully into the concept of this album. From what I have read too, it was actually based off a true real life encounter with Blackie himself. A song that is hauntingly dark, yet strangely peaceful as well. 4.5/5

6. Doctor Rockter - This is my personel favorite track on the album. In the essence of "Chainsaw Charlie", this song returns to that heavy form. A song that just kicks both musically and lyrically. 5/5

7. I Am One - I love the way this song was put together! The hooks in this song come into play a little later, and really is an essential part in the whole story-telling of the album. May take a listen or two in order to really stick, but is definetly an awesome song. 4.5/5

8. The Idol - This is the song that really starts to put the entire album together. The story has really come into full-swing by now and the listener begins to feel sorry for what Jonathon has become. A fairly long track that brings the listener on a ride, in many ways completely separate from the rest of the album! 5/5

9. Hold On To My Heart - Ah, the "ballad" that is required within every metal album! But you know what, this song was very essential and put together extremely well. This song brings the entire emotional aspect to the forefront and TRUELY displays what Jonathon is feeling. 4.5/5

10. The Great MisConceptions of Me - This is the song! I mean this is The Song! The track that ties the whole thing together! From the beginning to the very end, nothing that the album touched upon, is left out here. It is almost as if this song brings the listener on a ride that recaps the whole album and then adds more near the end. What happens to Jonathon is really left for the listener to decide. A final track that I believe is a classic in and of itself; shows that all the work and dedication Blackie poured into the album, has finally acheived what it intended to.. pure perfection! 5/5

11. The Story of Jonathon - This track is of Blackie telling the story of Jonathon. Whats written on the inside booklet, is what's said here. Nothing outstanding, but still something different than many might not have expected. 3.5/5

I won't cover the second disc, as the album itself is worth the buy. Once you own the album, you can appreciate the second disc as a nice bonus along with the already outstanding "Crimson Idol" and story of a man named Jonathon!

This album is a must-own for any fans of not just W.A.S.P. but of metal itself! This album is actually the album that inspired me to become a musician and write my own songs! Get it now, you won't regret it!

It's a great cd no matter how you look at it. If you want a good story telling cd, get this one and skip the Neon God ones as they are basically the same as this?

The song writing here is very good and Mr. Lawless seemed to have found a formula that worked to perfection here. Chris Holmes is gone and that's good as his leads were always boring as hell. Bob Kulick is his replacement and he does a much better job on this cd of creating solo's that have some sort of meaning. Overall the tunes and story flow along very nicely.
Some say this is WASP's best and it may well be, but Headless Children, Inside the Electric Circus and Dying for the World are also very good cd's and recommended.

Wasp does a nice job covering When The Levee Breaks here as well, bravo!!!!!!

I got this cd something like six years ago. I was maybe fifteen or sixteen years old at the time and this concept album had a major impact on me. If you're reading this review, you probably already know that "The Crimson Idol" is the story of Jonathan, a guy who dreamed of being a rock star. He hit the big-time, got sucked into the Hollywood way of life, decided that he didn't much like the fame after all, and died a very tragic death.

Blackie Lawless knew damn well what he was doing when he put this one together and I'm quite sure (like a good method actor) that he drew from his own life experiences. There was a lot of heart and soul put into this album and it shows. This was back in a time when metal was more than just a way to vent anger and adolescent frustration. It was a time when albums were built to last. It's too bad that most of the newer bands are only into living for the moment and selling as many records as possible. I'm not sure how many people out there got this one, but the many who didn't are missing a true masterpiece.

As far as concept albums go, this one ranks into my all time top three. It's a rangy mix of sped up rockers and accoustic ballads interwoven to tell the ins and outs of a young rock star who got way more than he bargained for. There is also a lot of truth in track 4 "Chainsaw Charlie". It's one of the fastest, hardest tracks on the album and it says a hell of a lot in its seven and a half minutes, about the part of showbiz that you don't hear so much about. Your speakers will be smoking at all the angst coming through them.

If you're a fan of nu-metal (I'm one myself) and you aren't familiar with W.A.S.P., you may want to look into these guys, or more particularly, this album.

WASP Is always on target with their music. They can never let you down. From the opening song on they have you by the throat. This is a can't miss from a band that is one of the pioneers of shock metal.

Sticking strictly with the original album - The Crimson Idol is a "must have" for any hard rock/metal fan. Blackie made one of the 2 GREAT concept albums of this time, the other being Queensryches's Operation Mindcrime.
Yes, I will agree that the story may be somewhat "cheesy" - with the rock n roll cliches. HOWEVER, the songs themselves are great. The Invisible Boy, Chainsaw Charlie, Doctor Rockter, I Am One and Hold On To My Heart are definitely highlights.
This album is pure power. One thing of note is Stet Howland & Frankie Banali drumming their guts out.
W.A.S.P./Blackie Lawless' best work.

If you could wear a CD out, this would be the one I would have worn out. It's been a stable of my metal library for a few years now, and I keep coming back to it. Heavy, rhythmic drums... Searing, killer guitars and amazing vocals by Blackie Lawless... By far one of the most complete metal CD's I own. I'm a huge KISS fan, but I can truly say that this is one of few metal CD's I can listen to from start to finish, over and over, as loud as the stereo will go. Truly an incredible metal album.